Fashion Group International - San Francisco (FGI-SF) had a successful Earth Day event on Wednesday, April 22nd! We got a group of panelist from Discarded to Divine (D2D) to talk about how they started this wonderful charity event that benefits St. Vincent de Paul Society. When a lot of us are buying new clothes at the stores, professional and student designers throughout the Bay Area are donating their skills and time to create one of a kind couture garments for auction. What a great idea especially that the material used are unwanted clothing from the organization's warehouse. Who knew that trash can be turned into couture fashions?!
Before the start of the presentation, FGI members and guest enjoy delicious refreshments while they mingle. At the end of the presentation, there was a raffle drawing for wine, courtesy of our event sponsor Parducci.
Sally Rosen, founder of Discarded to Divine, talked about how she started the project. Interestingly, Project Runway was her inspiration! Like most new organizations, there were definitely challenges to find support in the beginning. But with her passion and perseverance, she was able to partner with FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) for the first fashion show and auction.
Some of the designers from this year's D2D were also present to discuss what inspired them when they created these designs. Louisa Parris, for example, was inspired by the artworks featured in the de Young Museum, while others were inspired by the fabrics.
So, what do the panelists think of the future of 'green' apparel? It is in the development process that in the future we'll be able to recycle discarded fabrics. Currently, scrap pieces of fabrics cannot be recycled because most are composed of mixed fibers (i.e. cotton with polyester.) However, new technology may be on the way to change that. We'll have to stay tune to find out. For now, apparel companies are focusing on how the fabrics are made, using natural dyes and organic fibers, for example.
The Fashion Group International (FGI) is a global, non-profit, professional organization with over 6000 members in the fashion industry including apparel, accessories, beauty and home. The FGI mission is to be the pre-eminent authority on the business of fashion and design and to help its members become more effective in their careers. To do this, FGI provides insights on major trends in person, online and in print; access to business professionals and a gateway to the influence fashion plays in the marketplace.
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